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by Ian Vickers
Chapter Eight A Brief Tour of the Churchyard
The churchyard which belongs to the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Dagenham in Essex has probably existed since the church was founded c.1150-1200, and both may possibly be Saxon in the first instance.
On entering, we soon notice that all the graves here are aligned west to east, which is indicative of a Christian burial. Gravestones themselves, were a 17th century innovation, being first used inside churches.
In the churchyard at Dagenham they fall into four classes: being 90% grave-stones, 5% altar/table tombs, 4% stone-coffins/bottle-tombs, and merely 1% obelisks, with their composition being mainly: sandstone, limestone and marble.
Examination of early Ordnance Survey maps and other plans, in addition to the dates on the stones and slabs in the grounds of the churchyard has led me to believe that this area was initially augmented three, and possibly four times from this original. I have located further evidence, which sheds fresh light on this question. We now know that at least three enlargements did take place. We can divide the current churchyard into 4 parts: a) the original half acre plot; plus three additions in: b) 1804, c) 1856, and d) 1872.
The original plot of land was no more than half an acre and it is here where we find the oldest burials, especially to the north of the church. It was clear that by the the 19th century that the space for interments was rapidly running out, with more people dwelling in the village, and a very high death rate at this time.
This meant further enlargements were required in 1804, 1856 and 1872. After the final addition the churchyard reached the size and shape that we know today, being approximately 2 acres in extent. These augmentations are shown on the plan of the churchyard below.
General: All parish churches were required to keep registers of births, deaths and marriages from 1538 as part of the Act of Supremacy under king Henry VIII. This was reiterated on the accession of Elizabeth I twenty years later. Although no records appear to survive for Dagenham until much later (according to J.P. Shawcross) a disfigured leaf from an old register was located by a Mr W.J. Harvey [antiquarian], and possibly could be from the years noted#. The following registers [below], and in general Shawcross's History of Dagenham have proved extremely useful in identifying a number of the principal inhabitants of Dagenham and its village [Catalogue of Essex Parish Records 1240-1894, F.G. Emmison, 2nd Revised edn (1966), ERO pub., No7. #J.P. Shawcross: pp135-136. Registers of baptisms, marriages and burials on microfilm in ERO/Valence Lib (original books ERO); also extracts in Shawcross: pp123-171]. Baptisms Marriages Burials 1568--1571# 1598--1697 1598--1696 1598--1697 1693--1706 1695--1705 1695--1706 1723--1812 1723--1753 1723--1812 1754--1809 1809--1812 It is obviously impossible to give a complete list here of all those who have been interred in St Peter & St Paul graveyard in Dagenham. There are well in excess of 11,000 or so burials here, merely up to the start of the 19th century; so obviously space does not permit this. Even if it did the majority of these graves have disappeared through the ravages of time and as we have just seen no records of burials exist for these earliest periods. There are no gravestones prior to the 17th century when they first came into being and the earliest surviving at Dagenham dates from 1646 [see Thomas Witham]. The origin of these markers was that they were an offshoot from the monuments which had been placed in the parish churches for the more well to do for many centuries prior to this. Leaf from the Dagenham Parish Burial Register for 1598
This copy courtesy of Valence Library Dagenham: 1598-1812, MF 487. ERO: D/P 69: It has been digitally enhanced by the author.
They were inspired according to Stephen Friar by a “new breed of self-conscious yeoman farmers, tradesmen and master craftsmen”. A stone was the ownership of the person who erected it and passed onto their heirs. Examination of these gravestones and other monuments depict a strong picture of life in Dagenham. Many of the interments were labourers, farmers or worked in the local village: while others were influential land owners and gentlemen, with many of these peoples genealogical lines existing for a number of centuries in the parish. It was a persons right to be buried in the churchyard irrespective of his religious and social standing. Between 1610 and 1665 births and deaths were roughly equal with much undulation between these years. This factor can be attributed to diseases, like the plaque, smallpox or fever: also poor nutrition, which was the effect of months of poor harvests which were often followed the next year by good seasons.
More females than males died, which was mainly due to them staying at home to tend the sick and often they succumbed to the same illness. There are no identifiable plague pits or stones here although some stones can still be located at Barking, but is apparent that a number were laid to rest at Dagenham, location unknown! Graph Depicting Baptisms and Burials Between 1558-1812
From 1740 to 1793 far more people were interred than were born-- at a ratio of 3/2. This imbalance was redressed by the early years of the 19th century. One reason for this was smallpox, in addition to a large quantity of burials from outside the parish-- many from London and the surrounding districts of Dagenham. Some had been pressed into service: while a number of these Londoners had country houses or farms here or they married somebody local: others were merely part of the London overspill. Mortalilty was particularly high in the winter months as one would expect and also amongst the aged and children; and these often formed half the burials for a year. Strangely a large number of children were interred from the Foundling Hospital in the metropolis, and forty-four such burials occurred in 1757. These children were illegitimate being sent to work all around the city, and were not treated well by their newly discovered guardians. In the 20th century areas of the graveyard are given over to servicemen from both World Wars and around twenty war graves can be discovered.
The Churchyard looking south, along the tree-lined avenue [I. Vickers, 1999]
Churchyard from the southeast, [I. Vickers, 1999]
The Churchyard: We commence our tour of the churchyard by the main gate. Here one is immediately aware of the age of the monuments which surround the church. The earliest remaining stones date from the 17th-18th centuries and nearly all have become eroded over the centuries and are almost impossible to decipher. The gravestones/monuments of the inhabitants can be located on the accompanying map [below] by plotting two lines through both axis from north to south A-K, and west to east 1-14, and such references are given where the grave location is known [eg., D7: Margaretta Fry].
Underneath is a brief tour through the churchyard which notes the more interesting of these people who once lived in Dagenham and forged part of our history. Much of this has been composed purely by personal observation in this region. Boultons: Moving clockwise around the church from the main gate we find the gravestone of Thomas and Isaac Boulton [I14] on the left. Thomas Boulton was a churchwarden in 1805-1806 (d.1823) and his wife Elizabeth is also found here (d.1812). Also here is William Boulton who was the tenant of Whalebone Farm in 1850, and his late wife Mary (d.1835). A little further on can be seen the opening to an underground tomb! This is the entrance to the vault of Jonathon Arnold [I13]. Marker showing the entrance to the vault
Churchyard Northside: To the northern aspect of the church we find the oldest graves, in addition a number of people buried originating from London including: John Chessey (d.1750) in an altar tomb: William Higgins (d.1787)and Thomas Witham. By the small footpath leading to Crown Street is a stone to Samuel Thorogood [E14] a local farmer who was killed while out harvesting (d.1840). Also here are three stones and a large vault dedicated to the Tyler Family who were local landowners [E14, F14], and appear at least from 1678 when the son of Myles Tyler was baptised at the church. One of these was once enclosed by iron pallisades. Captain Richard Comyns: Near the archaic wall is the table tomb of Captain Richard Comyns [F/G14], who was laid to rest here with a shield of arms on 10/2/1700. The long panel at the front is now damaged and the writing on the lid is now hard to read. Many other members of the family are also buried here but are far too numerous to mention. According to Shawcross the family were very influential in Dagenham and the surrounding region by the 1700s. They had first appeared in the Dagenham Register in 1603, although they were noted in Barking many decades prior to this. A John Comyn was a woodward at Hainault in 1456. By 1664 a John Comyns of Dagenham (b.1613-d.1668), was described as a tanner and he dwelt in the structure which later became known as the Cross Keys inn. The trade was carried out nearby. The Cross Keys pictured c.1900.
John married Sarah Marlow of Barton, Suffolk, and they had four sons-- one of these became Captain Richard Comyns and he was the only one to outlive his father [for the record it was this John's grandson also named John who became a emminent judge, although he is not interred here-- see below]. Captain Richard Comyns had two abodes one in Hare Street, Romford and the other in Dagenham. The family mansion house was depicted on the map of Dagenham Village [1653], and stood just east of the church on the same side of the highway. Part of it still existed at the time that Shawcross wrote his work [1904], although he tells us that this had become sub-divided into cottages. Captain Richard Comyns married Dorothy Steevens of Romford on 15/4/1681. They had 9 children, but five died in infancy, again a further sign of the mortality of the time. The Captain himself, died at his home in Dagenham aged 45 and was laid to rest the next day. John Marlow an apothecary of London was interred at Dagenham in 1696, and all his goods and chattels were left to his only daughter Elizabeth.
Judge John Comyns
After her death they passed to his brother-in-law Richard Commins and his kinsman Joshua Morris [law attorney] and their heirs in trust for her future children. John Marlow held property in Berkshire, Essex, London and Middlesex. Strangely, another member of the family-- Thomas Comyns of Dagenham-- who passed away in 1656, was noted as being a "doctor of physicke". He was an unskilled man known as an apothecary or quack.
Left: Slab of Thomas Comyns, doctor of physique in the church. [I. Vickers, 2000].
Right: Tomb of Captain Richard Comyns [I. Vickers, 1999].
Thomas Witham: Near the old 17th century door probably were the two altar-tombs which Shawcross noted belonging to the Witham's. He stated that one had a coat of arms and tells us that the family are from London-- this Thomas died in 1640. The other one had pannelled sides and the inscription read, “Here lyeth Thomas Witham (d.1646), and his wife-- Bridget (d.1655)”. Today there is little sign of these although a now unmarked tomb lies here which may have been one of them. A broken slab is also located here lying on the ground which belongs to Thomas Witham and Bridget his wife, and although the inscription resembles that above it does not appear to be from a side panel. This is the oldest remaining marker I have uncovered and is still in large parts legible [E14, E/F13/14]. The earliest remaining stone in the Churchyard dedicated to Thomas Witham and his wife Bridget [Photograph I. Vickers 1999] Numerous other members of the Witham's have been laid to rest here, and include: a third Thomas Wittham (d.1668), James Wittam Gent., (d.1671), plus yet another Thomas Whittham from London (d.1743) and Hannah Witham from High Ongar (d.1761). It is clear that the Witham's were a repectable family who must have originated in Dagenham. A Richard Witham held a customary house or tenement in Daghenham Street called Bushells in 1609. In O'Leary's work its tells us that in a Land Tax assessment for 1665 that a Thomas Witham was a Dagenham farmer. This title of 'farmer' I feel does not give the family the prominence they clearly had in the community, as some years earlier even their servant Richard was laid to rest here in 1636. This factor is also suggested in the Dagenham Register Book whereby an entry of 1673 states that William Wittham gave his name [amongst others], for the appointment of John Davis for parish clerk and thus must have been a leading inhabitant of the village. The Sextant: In the small section of the churchyard, in the northeast, which was enlarged in 1856 [D14], I have located the body of a James Palmer [d.16/11/1878], who was clerk and sextant of the parish.
The sextant was an official appointed by the parish, vicar or churchwardens; it was his job to tend the grounds of the church as well as dig the graves. It appears his demise was rather untimely as the inscription on the stone reads, “... who met with his death by the falling in open grave”. Churchyard Eastside: On the east side of the church can be found a number of monuments with some again being illegible. Here is located a stone to Thomas Twyford [D13], the grave of Dagenham vicar Rev.,John S. Moore near the east wall [D13], under the churches chantry window are those of James Dean [D/E13], John Shipton [D13], John Coombes [D12/13] and Thomas Waters [D12]. There are two further stones to the Twyfords, plus one belonging to the Dossiters [both D11/12]. Twyfords: If we begin at the northeastern corner we locate a much eroded stone. It is so worn that on previous visits I thought the surname read 'Tyndell', but I managed to decipher a few of the letters on subsequent visits and it appears that it is the marker of Thomas Twyford. As we turn the southeastern corner of the church if we look extremely carefully we come across two further tombstones-- also showing much weathering-- of the Twyford's [D11/12/13]. The Twyford's first appear in 1738 when a Mary Twiford passed away, being followed four years later by John Twyford. It is possible that this name had its origins after the place name called 'Twyford' either in Norfolk or Oxfordshire. Thomas Twyford was another owner of Triptons and in 1801 he was an overseer of the parish. This farm was noted as early as 1348 when it was noted as 'Tripeton'. A more modern farmhouse was pulled down in c.1956 and today is covered partly by Robert Clack School. Another member of the family, Joshua Twyford, was churchwarden c.1825. By 1825 a Thomas Waters Twyford was Dagenham parishes Surveyor of the Highways, and overseer in 1827, being a prominent vestry man. Whether or not this was the same man noted above I have been unable to ascertain. In 1834 the overseers had trouble collecting the poor, church and other rates, plus it was costly to do so. It was decided at a meeting to take on an assistant overseer who also took over the responsibilities of the highway surveyor. This however, was not implemented as Mr Twyford offerred to take up the position of surveyor without salary.
Thomas Waters Twyford surveyed the estate of Henry Saffrey near Barking Creek and produced a plan in 1827. In 1831 a meeting took place in Dagenham Church where it was resolved that 50 acres of waste land [20 acres in Chadwell Heath: 30 acres in the forest], owned by the Crown were to be let out to the poor of the parish for allotments. Subsequently a memorial was drawn-up to be passed to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests along with a plan which was made by Thomas Waters. However, this was not carried out to the letter and merely four acres was transferred for this purpose during this time. He was the Highway Surveyor again in 1835. From around 1882-1890 John Foster Twyford was running a threshing machine in Whalebone Lane and by 1894 he describes himself as a farmer. The Twyfords still have connections with Dagenham today. Churchyard Southside: To the immediate southern aspect of St Peter and St Paul are the following stones and monuments of interest. A tomb belonging to the Rev., Thomas Wright rector of Christ Church in Middlesex [who married the fourth daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Merttins]. Also a tomb to the Pilon's, two altar tombs to the Bennett's and Merttins [E11], another to John Cannon [G12] and a further altar tomb to Mr Higgins and Katherine Higgins which has an illegible inscription. Just south of the small path (roughly central) are the stones of Ann Parrish (d.1846) the daughter of George and Ann Parrish [H11/12]. Pilons: Between the main path and the eastern one, is the collapsed altar-tomb of the Pilon family [E11]. They were of some note in the area, and hence it has been discovered that the corpes were buried in wooden coffins with lead-linings-- a tradition bestowed upon the wealthy. Due to the tombs unstable condition it became necessary to exhume the coffins and repair the plot before their replacement. The repair of the tomb required a special license, as this sort of burial is often a biological hazard, also a compound of lead oxide had probably formed which is poisonous. The tomb had been repaired by early 2001. Daniel Pilon was a London goldsmith of Christ Church, Spittle-field, although Shawcross also states that he was a weaver. This is plausable because this region of London was renowned for this profession during this time. The remaining land parcels [1, 2, 10-12], were detached. He lived their between 1744 and 1762. The house is depicted as a building with three storeys (bottom left of plan), and at some point a small bell-tower was added.
Survey of Daniel Pilons Lands, 1747: courtesy of Valence Reference Library.
The property was sited on the High Road at Chadwell Heath, just east of the junction with Whalebone Lane North & South. It was probably he who replaced the Tudor frontage of the house in the time he dwelt their. All that remains of the dwelling today are the old jaw-bones from a greenland whale, which adorned the entrances metal gates-- these are now found in storage at Valence House Museum. Daniel Pilon's death is given as 1762 in the burial register. He was succeeded by his son Nicholas Peter Pilon. In an act of charity a Mrs Pilon left in her will a sum of £20 in 1788 for the relief of the Dagenham parish poor not receiving alms; this was to be doled-out by Abraham Blackborne-- wh0 was the vicar of the day-- and the Churchwardens. Also interred is Nicholas Pilon's wife Francis (d.1770#), but it is not known whether Nicholas is buried here.
Henry Merttins table-tomb [I. Vickers, 2000]
Henry Merttins and Thomas Bennett: To the south of the Pilon's tomb we discover that of the 'Merttins'. Henry Merttins of London was a master tailor who purchased Valence in 1719 from Thomas Bonham's widow [Henry was the brother of Sir George Merttins Knt].
After Henry Merttins died in 1725, Valence was passed to his son John (d.1776), and both were buried in the churchyard. The estate finally descended to Henry Merttins Bird, who was forced to sell it in 1802 owing to serious financial difficulties and it passed to John Hopkins Dare (d.1805) of Cranbrook. The dwelling called Bennett’s Castle House was named after a member of the Bennett family. There are links to the Bennett’s in St Margaret’s Church in the early 18th century. Thomas Bennett (d.1802) was the grandson of Henry Merttins [D/E11/12].
George Merttins, the grandson of Sir George, and his son Michael (d.1786) are also interred here at Dagenham. Churchyard Westside: To the west the Seabrooks are found. Near the main gate is a altar tomb to Samuel Yull a local farmer, in addition a large piece of ground given over to the British Legion [both I/H14]. Somewhere here Shawcross tells us that Lady Denman is laid to rest. Here also exists the graves of the Coppen family of Whalebone Farm, the Flints, Archer Moss [H11/12] and William Ford and that of the Hunsdons-- A James Hunsdon held Bennett's Castle Farm in 1802. Lady Denman: Lady Theodosia Ann Denman, wife of Lord Chief Justice Thomas Denman (1779-1854), is buried somewhere to the west of the churchyard (d.1852), along with her nine year old granddaughter. Thomas retired to Parsloes in 1851 with their son and daughters. The following year Lady Denman died their. The name has been perpetuated in the Lord Denman public house in the Heathway.
Seabrooks: Returning back to the main gate and following the path to a position just past the main entrance (near the ash tree), we locate the table-tomb of the Seabrook family [H12]; this was once encompassed by iron railings. They are one of the oldest families to reside in Dagenham and a William Seabrook was baptized at St Peter & St Paul church in 1598. A dwelling called Seabrookes is noted in the 1609 Survey, although its exact location is not known. The family also held property in Barking. A will of Elizabeth Seabrook—- spinster-- has been noted from 1755. Ephraim Seabrook can be found in the 1785-86 Window Tax assessment as being landlord of the Three Travellers alehouse, but by 1851 the licence had passed onto John Seabrook. Ephraim was also a churchwarden between 1835-36. A William Seabrook took up the office of Surveyor of the Highways in 1825. Samuel Seabrook senior was a well respected Dagenham man, being a landowner and tenant farmer: firstly at Triptons [see Twyfords] in 1823 which lay in Whalebone Lane South: secondly in 1843 he held Valence-Gallance Manor Farm an area of 135 acres: and thirdly, he farmed Warren House Farm of 158 acres until 1850. Samuel Seabrook also found the time to take up the position of a Dagenham churchwarden sometime before 1827 until 1829. Other members of the Seabrook family resided around Becontree Heath from at least 1841 when the Bentry Heath Mill existed, on the southside of the heath there, along with its house, yard and garden, which was owned by Phoebe Seabrook and occupied by the miller Ephraim Seabrook, who was also a trustee of Ford's Endowed School in Dagenham Village. In 1862-- Ephraim [probably the son on the Three Travellers landlord], was still the miller here: while Samuel junior continued the family line of local farmers at Triptons. The picture on the right shows Henry Seabrook [d.1899], and his wife Elizabeth Charlotte [d.1910]. They were licensees of the Fishing Smack in Barking from 1863 until 1906 [picture courtesy of H.H. Lockwood]. However, both had vanished by 1874, and the ownership of the mill had passed to Charles Balls [the mill itself, disappeared in the 1890s]. Their family name is perpetuated in Seabrook Hall and Seabrook Road, off of Valence Avenue. Archer Moss: Archer Moss senior was born in Blackmore, Essex in 1798. He was Dagenham churchwarden in 1837-40, and a trustee of William Ford's school. By 1839 Archer Moss owned all three post mills on Chadwell Heath, but one of these was demolished in 1893 and the ownership of the other two changed hands. All four of his daughters were born in Dagenham. In 1824 his son Archer Moss junior was born in Dagenham. When a new parish of Chadwell Heath was formed in 1895 a Herbert Archer Moss was made churchwarden at St. Chad's church following in the family tradition. By 1902, Herbert Archer Moss was back in charge of one of the two remaining Chadwell Heath mills until it was pulled down around 1906. Just to the southwest(of the centre of the small path), we cannot fail to notice the massive tomb dedicated to William Ford [I/H11].
William Ford:
Plaque to Mr Ford inside the church [LBBD] The Table Tomb of William Ford [I. Vickers, 1999] Mr William Ford was a Dagenham farmer (b.6/3/1756-d.1825), who left £10,000 in trust to the churchwardens and overseers for the purpose of schooling and clothing the children.
Initially a rented building was utilised near the church in 1828, but this gave way to a permanent structure being erected in Church Elm Lane in 1841, being known as Ford's Endowed Junior School. According to Shawcross he ordered that the principles of the Church of England be adopted, and not any other system.
William Ford was later buried in the churchyard. This is the largest of all the tombs in the grounds, and was once enclosed with high iron railings. A tablet to his memorial can be found in the church on the north wall adorned with a scroll held by two cherubs. Ford Endowed School in Church Elm Lane, c.1900.
Main Avenue west: Working our way back to the main avenue of lime trees [which were said to be planted by the Seabrook family], and moving south-- we find a number of monuments of interest just on the right (west). By the first lime tree are the resting places of two Dagenham vicars: the Rev., Horace Siviter [of whom Siviter Way is named], and Rev., George Jones [both F11]. Here also is that of three young children. Just behind this tree are stones to Cathy Duncan, the local village bobby PC Isaac McQuire (d.1994 aged 83) [FG11/12] and to the left of this that of Daniel Huccaby (d.1788) who was master at the local workhouse [FG11/12]. Facing the second lime tree is the obelisk to PC George Clarke: while behind this is the grave of the Carey's. Just south of this is the large table-tomb to Alfred Gray (b.1829-d.1911) and his family of 'Wonts Farm'; this was another tomb that once had railings. A path leads to the west just behind the new vicarage and on the corner is the resting place of Robert and Ann Hunsdon [F7/8]. Around the old school (now the minor hall), are a number of stones showing the resting place of ex-servicemen who fell in both world wars-- members of the Royal Fusiliers and Royal Signals [I10, H9]. Three Children: To the east of the northern most lime tree are the stones of three young children from different families [F10/11]-- the Watney's, Letton's and Knight's. They were all under five and lived close to one another near the vicarage.
One evening in 1926 they were playing with matches in a garden shed which was filled with very combustable rubbish for Guy Fawkes Night. They were killed despite valliant attempts to rescue them.
Their funerals were attended by many people and the children were placed together in a special grave, and three small marble crosses were erected over each. These have sadly been destroyed by vandals and today only the bases remain. Graves of Watney, Letton and Knight, c.1999 [I. Vickers, 1999]
PC George Clarke: Just south of this is an upright memorial to a police constable who was butchered one night in an Eastbrook End corn-field in 1846-- PC George Clarke [F10]. It was erected by the local community and his colleagues of 'K' division. PC Clarke, was aged merely 20. He had only been in the region for six weeks after being drafted in from Stepney. He was out on patrol to meet one of his colleagues at the point known as Four Wantz, then a deserted crossroads [today where the Eastbrook PH is situated], with one lone farmhouse closeby and nothing but fields around him. When the young constable failed to turn up at the police station at 6am on Tuesday 30th June a search was mounted, and police commenced dragging ponds and looking in fields. They even wrote to his mother in Woburn to see if he had returned home. He was not found until July 3rd, after an extensive search.
His body was located near a pond, a quarter of a mile from the road in a ditch on Fels End Farm. He had put up a tremendous tussle for his life, using his truncheon and cutlass against his assailants, as the region was covered in much blood. An inquest was held at the Cross Keys inn: while in an empty cottage (near the point where PC Clarke was found), his body lay for safe keeping. During this time it was visited by PC Clarke's mother, who promptly fainted when she see the awful injuries. Sergeant William Parsons told the court that pieces of the constables skull had been found embedded in the earth. A murder hunt was begun by Scotland Yard [created in 1839 by Sir Robert Peel].
Memorial to PC George Clark [I. Vickers, January 1999]. There were many rumours flying about. Suspicion even fell on his own colleagues, that he had been killed by them because they were involved in some dodgy dealings. Another theory was that PC Clarke's predecessor PC Abia Butfoy had received a death threat earlier, and it is possible that it could have been a case of mistaken identity. No one however, was ever brought to trial and the murder has remained a mystery.
Reward Notice [courtesy LBBD]
On 30 June 1996 the constables death was remembered when police honoured the 150th anniversary of his death. This site is now part of the Eastbrook End Country Park and has not been built on, but the landscape has been changed alot.
Proceeding's for the day commenced with a church service at St Peter and St Paul in the village, followed by a rededication of the memorial in the graveyard, which had been duely spruced up. Later a tree was planted at the murder scene at Eastbrook End and a memorial plaque buried in the earth nearby. At the Town Show that year, an exhibition was displayed, being organised by the Metropolitan Police Museum in Charlton. Carey's: To the rear of the PC Clarke memorial are the graves of the parents of the one-time Archbishop of Canterbury-- George Leonard Carey. His father-- George Thomas Carey-- died aged 72 on 3/11/1980; and his mother Ruby Catherine Carey [F10] died somewhat later in 1986. They were laid to rest by the local funeral directors West & Coe. It is possible that their family originated from Ireland, and their name is synonmous with names like 'Gurney' and 'Donoghue'. They had five children in total, the eldest of which-- George Leonard-- became the 103rd Primate. It was during World War II that his parents had moved to 103 Woodward Road, Dagenham after being bombed out of their home in the East End of London.
The Carey's were regular church-goers and they went to the local establishment nearby. They resided here until c.1950, before moving to 214 Reede Road where they dwelt until they passed away.
Dr George Carey has other strong connections with the church here. He preached his first sermon at St Peter & St Paul during the time Edward Paterson was vicar.
Archbishop George Carey preaching a Sermon in The Archbishops parents Dagenham Parish Church [B&DP, 06/2000] George & Ruby [B&DP, 08/1990]
He met his future wife, Eileen of Gay Gardens, one foggy Dagenham evening, who herself had been baptised at St. Peter & St. Paul, and they were later married at the church in June 1960. Dr Carey's brothers and sisters were also married at the church, and Eileen’s parents had both been laid to rest in the churchyard [B&DP: 14/6/00, p3]. The Archbishop still has a strong affinity with Dagenham and has returned a number of times, the last of which was in June 2001 to commence the building of the War Memorial with the digging of the inaugral turf. He also preached in the church for the first time as Archbishop. Cathy Duncan:
Another grave (which has taken me ages to locate), is that of Cathy Duncan. Its position was not discovered when the massive Village Church Project was carried out in 1984, in an attempt to identify the remaining graves in the churchyard.
Whether or not this was done out of respect for the little girl and her family or purely overlooked is not known. For those who have a genuine interest-- her little body lies just northeast of final lime tree [GF/11-12].
Catherine Menzies Duncan was murdered in 1965, aged merely eight. She lived at Wellington Drive, Dagenham and attended Beam School. She went missing and in spite of a 100 strong police mobile unit being drafted in two weeks passed with no sign of her until the news filtered through that her naked body had been discovered hidden in a bulkhead chest of drawers in the bedroom of a neighbour, merely four doors from her home. An 18 year old youth, John Francis Williams, was charged with her murder by strangulation and subsequently jailed for life at the OldBailey. Her funeral was held by Rev., E. Paterson and her tiny coffin was interred near the church in front of hundreds of mourners, teachers and schoolfriends on the 23/9/65. From donations given a memorial was erected over the grave. Both her traumatised parents died within a few years of Cathy-- her mother Sarah in March 1967-- they were buried with her. The grave today is difficult to identify, chiefly due to the pitiless vandals who have broke the pillar and stone angel which had guarded Cathy's grave for almost 30 years in July 1995. Main Avenue East: In this eastern section bordering the flats to the left (east), I have located little of interest to the average person. One stone, however, is that of another Dagenham vicar— Charles Clement Harrison-- who held his incumbency between 1907-21 [FE/10-11]. This again had proved difficult to uncover due to vandalism, and a broken cross lies over the plot. Behind the sycamore and second lime tree (just prior to the path to the west), is the stone dedicated to a young infant who died aged merely 4 months old—- Samuel Henry Gunary (d.1915) [E8].
The Gunary family [pronounced Gun-ah-ree], were the final tenants of Pound Farm. One family member, Mr Peter Gunary, still had links with the area when this written, and was a 'sides man' at Dagenham Church, although he did not live locally. West Family:
Edward John West [courtesy West Family] John Coppin West [courtesy West Family]
Also near this spot Edward John West (1878-1969) and Rosina Wright (1874-1974) can be discovered [F/E8]. They were married in South Ockendon in 1905. Also here is their father John Coppen (1849-1910).
It was Edward who founded West & Coe the undertakers with Harry Coe in 1903. Later it was taken over by two of their sons Jack and Coppin (now both sadly deceased). Jack’s son Jeremy still runs the business today.
Fry & Gurney: Moving on down the main path to its middle, and then eastwards (to the left near the maisonettes), are the stones of Margaretta Fry (d.1940) [D7], Leonard Gurney (d.1939), Frederick Thomas Gurney (d.1960) and Florence Rosina Gurney (d.1983) [D7]. These names are synonymous with Dagenham mainly in the form of Elizabeth Fry [nee'Gurney] the prison reformer, and her husband Joseph Fry of East Ham. The name 'Gurney' is almost certainly French in origin: while 'Fry' is Old English, but whether or not they are connected with John Gurney [Elizabeth's father], and Joseph Fry, remains to be seen. Just a brief examination of the Fry and Gurney family trees will show that Joseph Fry (b.1777-d.1861) and Elizabeth Gurney (b.1780–d.1845), produced 11 offspring alone, and most of these went on to have their own children. Is it also just a mere coincidence that these people have been interred near to each other and have these famous names. For the record, Elizabeth herself, is buried in the Society of Friends Burial Ground in Barking, but the headstone has been removed to the Quaker Burial Ground in Bush Road, Wanstead for safe-keeping.
Edward Burke: Edward Burke, the village blacksmiths, had come to the district and commenced his trade in 1860, and by 1894 he had been succeeded by his son Charles. The premises was sited in the centre of the village opposite Glebe Road. He continued the family business until 1937, being 70 years of age. His shop was then demolished.
Churchyard South and West of Main Avenue: At the end of the main avenue another path running west to east can be found. Located just before the western corner is another memorial to a member of the Seabrook family-- Selina [F2/3] (b.1824--d.1889). A George Blewitt is discovered [I4] towards the small metal railings and roughly midway between the wall. About 10yds SW of this is the resting place of Henry Archer (d.1910: aged 68) and his wife Sarah (d.1909: aged 72) [IJ3/4]. A multitude of stones lie to the south of the western arm of this pathway and date from the third quarter of the 19th century through to the 1900s.
Opposite the lime tree is the grave of Charles Wand (d.1886) [HI2]: while behind this a number of monuments to the Howgego's are found [F1, H1/2], and also further graves of the Archers [GH1]-- two names synonymous with Dagenham history. Also near to here is another member of the Parrish family-- Charles Parrish (d.1903) [H1/2]. For the record, a Mr Coulson D. Parrish later possessed Frizlands Farm in Dagenham. George Blewitt: Not far east from the small metal fence- near to the wall- is the grave of George Blewitt [I4] (b.1848--d.1905), who died aged 57. The family date back in the village as early as 1723 when another George Blewett is noted. The surname itself is a very old one dating back to 1066 and is Old French = 'bleuet' and was the name of a cloth dyed blue. It is strange that he is not listed in the 1851 census, although he would have been three by this time. It is possible that his family did not want his name connected with that of his scurrilous father and he was not declared on the form.
The family were hay and straw dealers at Becontree Heath from at least turn of the 19th century.
The Blewett family stone: photo I. Vickers, 1999 Howgego's: Stones to this family can be discovered at the end of the main avenue and then by proceeding slightly southwest to its end, near Siviter Way. The Howgego's had a dwelling in Bull Street, and in 1874 Henry Howgego was the wheelright here and by 1884 the front room of their house had been extended to accomodate the local Post Office, which was run by his wife Elizabeth from c.1899. In the 1920s Mr Howgego still ran the post office in the village and had the only motor taxi. He was the first to sell petrol in the village from a 40 gallon drum. According to an old resident Mrs Hilda Patten, “He sold lovely tea roses and rented bicycles out for 3d [1½p] a half hour”]. In 1874 other members of the Howgego's were market gardeners at Five Elms and 'George' was landlord at the Three Travellers. In 1902 Alfred senior was a farmer at Raydons Farm: while 10 years later his son Alfred junior was a market gardener at Lake's Farm. A long list of their family is contained in the 1851 census. It is very apparent that the family goes back a long way in history-- although it appears they did not originate from the Dagenham vicinity. Archers: In the 1880s straw and hay dealers were mainly prominent around Becontree Heath and both the Archers [GH1,E3], and the Blewitts had links here. The 1851 census list depicts the Archers name as one of the longest and indicates that the family name goes back many decades in time beyond this. Like the Howgego's though, their name does not appear to have come from Dagenham. It does not materialise in the Directories until c.1894 when Henry Archer is recorded as being a hay and straw dealer operating from Becontree Heath. Churchyard South and East of Main Avenue: This section of the burial ground is the newest laid with all stones in the southeastern arm dating from just before the turn of the 20th century onwards. Here can be located a number of war graves particularly around the B-D2/4 region. A Lillian Archer (d.1992) is found to the west of the elder tree [CD/3]. The nearer one gets to the main avenue the older the stones become and we come across a further member of the Archers-- Francis-- (d.1890) [E3] about 12yds east of this avenue, approximately midway between the elder and the main avenue. Towards the southwest corner (north of the compost bin), is the tombstone of K.F.A. Fox, a member of the army Parachute Regiment Air Corp who died in enemy action aged merely 19 in the Second World War [d.1944] [A1/2]. Another member of the forces found near the northern rose hedge was W.L. Simmonds of the Royal Navy who was a stoker first class on the HMS Roxburgh. He was killed in action aged 29 just prior to Christmas in 1918. Other Stones of Interest in the churchyard:
Above grave of P.C. Terry Furnell, [2001] Stone to Charles Burke, Blacksmith, [1999]
Broken Kittle family stone, [2001] Stone to Turnbull’s [2001]
Interesting Ancient Burials: As documented at the start of this chapter, there are literally thousands of graves which can no longer be located in St Peter and St Paul churchyard, although we know they exist due to other records, like the wills which lie in the Essex Record Office, plus records of burials shown in other documents and books. Over the centuries the burial ground has received a number of victims from outside the parish who died of the plague and others were accommodated after the Great Fire of London. According to Shawcross around 30% of the names given in 16th and 17th century tax subsidies still worked locally on the land when he wrote his work around 1904. He states that they “still linger in the neighbourhood, especially among the poor”. Just a few of the more interesting names are noted below: the Bishop's, Clerks, Outredes, Trueloves and Upney's. Bishop's: A John Bisshope (d.1533)was buried here, who gave 12d to the “hyghe aulter... for my tythes and oblattions negligently forgotten”, and 4 lights to remit his sins “to our ladie, to seynt Ann, to seynt Xpher... to seynt John”. It seems these lyghtes were for each of the patron saints of the church. We can tell from this will the high regard the villagers had for the church and the fear of religion. People went out of their way to try and pay off their religous commitments before they departed this world, so that they could have a safe transition to heaven, free from any transgressions. We find here that he left his goods and chattels to his two daughters. Johane was to receive a “blake cow and 10 sheepe”, as well as the bed and its fittings and other household effects: while Jane [presumably his youngest girl], was to have 2 bullocks which were left in “custodie & kepeing” with his wife Christian, until the time that they were able to produce offspring when they were to be given to Jane along with 5 ewes. Another aspect is shown here, whereby it was vital to provide for his children, although it seems that the same regard was not held for his wife who according to this will was left nothing. It was apparent that the future continuation of his family line was seen as through his daughters and not his wife Christian. This facet is shown again in the will of Thomas Augier who leaves to his spouse merely, “To my wife 4 silver spoons”.
Clarks/Clerks: The 'Clerks' or 'Clarks' were a Dagenham family who worked the nearby land with a number of them classed as husbandmen. They first appeared in the 1456 Manor Rental as being the occupants of Bedewell [which was located at Eastbrook End].
They are listed in a tax subsidy to the King and Parliament in 1523, when three members of the family: Henry, William and Thomas all paid their dues (1/2d, 2/6d and 1/- respectively), in goods.
A little later in 1540 these three members of the Clerkes held land locally: Henry held land called Perrymanes Down which was located next to Sparks Stret: William of Byntreheth held land near Knights Grove [not far from Marks], and another parcel near Blackheth: while a Thomas Clerke paid 1½d for a cottage being part of Purlevants found in Dagenham Street: and also had a tenement called Saunders and land named Harwarde. From this period onwards they possessed 2 acres of marshland in Ripledown in Dagenham. This is also noted in the 1609 Survey and other documents, and by the time of the 1844 tithe award it had become known as Clarks Marsh. The Clarks also had a piece of woodland in 17th century known as Clarks Grove. Trueloves: The Trueloves are also an archaic village name which first appeared as early as 1440, when John Trewelove-- tanner-- was fined 9d by the Manor Court for selling poorly tanned hides.
Thomas Truelove was a churchwarden in 1508, and was involved [according to local historian O'Leary], in a possible enlargement of the churchyard along with the vicar of the day Richard Nicholson, and another churchwarden-- Thomas Edolphe, in compliance with the will of John Outrede. In a tax subsidy of 1523 a William Truelove is stated as being a labourer paying 4d tax: while a will of 1566 lists a Richard who was classed as a husbandman from Dagenham. Thomas Trewlove paid 12d rent for 2 acres of land in Huck Street near Gilbert Sparrow. By the turn of the 17th century the Trueloves were of gentleman status, being now massive landowners as well as farmers. John Trewlove held a house and 75 acres named Hamonds [first noted in 1440]; also another house plus twenty eight acres of land called Sheremans (Surmans), by Frislings Lane on the east, in addition to thirty acres of pasture. Near here the same man also held land named Erlsdowne: plus four acres of arable land near Edolfes Hatch now known as Hookes Land: also one virgate of land near Fyve Elmes leased to Richard Trulove. In total John Trewlove held 2 houses, plus 108 acres of arable, 35 acres pasture, 7 acres marsh, 6 acres wood, in addition to 52 acres of other land. This had a total annual value of £13 8s 10d. In 1614 John Truelove (and a Paul Pierson), were tenants of Perrymans and Suttons and parts of the manor of Cockermouth. By 1619 he had been granted Frizlands by the Deans and Cannons of Windsor which the family held until 1685. A Survey of Barking Manor in 1680 shows the family still holding Surmans and lands near to Valence and Porters, plus Sawyers and lands in the marsh. What is rather strange is this prominent family suddenly disappeared from the records prior to the turn of the 18th century century after nearly 250 years in and around the village. Many of these members were probably laid to rest in the churchyard, although I have come across no evidence. Outred's/Outrede's: This name appears as early as the 13th century and persists regularly throughout Dagenham life for some 400 years until about 1696 when the name (like the Trueloves), vanishes. In the 14th century the Outred's held various pieces of land in Dakenham Marsh which were once part of the Manor of Cockermouth. John Oughtrede had lands and tenements in Dagenham-- one was called Half Knyghteslond. John Outred had land abutting on that of Thomas Trewlove in 1540. Some of the members of the Outred's are interred in the old Romford Church: while a George became steward of the Manor of Barking from 1600-1613. I have no evidence of any of the Outred's being interred at Dagenham, but the family line existing for this length of time makes this highly likely. Upney's: The Upney's are noted in the tax subsidy of 1523 when a William Upnye-- a labourer— was paid the standard 4d for this job, and this indicates that this family member was not particularly wealthy. A John Upny paid 3/6d tax in goods. Twenty four years later in a further subsidy of Edward VI, a William Upney was classed as a husbandman and paid 10/-. In the wills located in the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford it has been discovered that Henry Upney, a husbandman, of Dagenham had five children: Ralph, Henry, Joan the elder, Agnes and Joan the younger. It was one of the Joan's who gained notoriety in 1589 for bewitching Alice Foster and Joan Harwood until they died. She was indicted and hanged for being a witch. We know that a Henry Upney senior was laid to rest here on the 3/5/1533, “ffirste I gyve and bequeth my soule to God Almyghty... and my bodie to be bured in the church yarde of Seynt Peter and paul of Dagenhm”. It appears highly likely from this that Joan's father [was the Henry Upney junior also mentioned here-- probably the same man who held three acres of marshland in the Estmarshe of Dagenham seven years later]. Henry junior was also no doubt buried in the churchyard at Dagenham but the whereabouts of his grave is unknown. The Upney's were a prominent Dagenham family from at least the end of the 15th century through to the 17th. Some of them worked the land and are shown in the wills as husbandmen or yeomen.
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